Our latest cautionary tale of pleasure's pitfalls comes from Jacksonville, Arkansas, where a trio of strippers is facing criminal charges for the onstage beating of a male patron with a wood paddle and a leather whip.

According to a Pulaski County Sheriff's Office report, truck driver Keith Lowery told investigators that he was handcuffed to a pole at the Sensations club and set upon by the dancers during a June 17 visit.

Lowery, who was celebrating his 31st birthday with pals who paid $25 for his ceremonial birthday whuppin', said that he was injured when the 4:30 AM stunt went too far. He claimed that he "begged" management to stop the paddling/whipping, but that his plea was rejected.

After a bruised Lowery contacted cops, three dancers and two Sensations managers were each arrested and charged with a felony count of obscene performance in a public place (the strippers also were hit with a misdemeanor battery count).

At left you'll find mug shots of the three dancers and a female manager (sorry, we didn't have space for the male manager's picture). The women, scheduled for an August 4 District Court appearance, are, clockwise from upper left, Kelly Eslick, 21; Lisa Nolen, 23; Charlene Smith, 23; and manager Dena Mitchell, 30. (2 pages)